MDiv In-Ministry Program

The Master of Divinity In-Ministry educates and equips working students for church leadership in tomorrow’s world through an integrative, mentored approach to applied and academic learning. Our faculty teaches biblical principles, concepts, and models for lay or ordained ministry while giving you the flexibility to work concurrently in a vocational Christian ministry.

This program is for you if you:

● have passion for creative engagement of the Gospel and culture

● are wrestling with what it means to be the Church in the 21st century

● are engaged in vocational Christian ministry, part-time or full-time

● are committed to the vocational goal of congregational leadership

● are endorsed for further study by a sending church or organization

● have a heart for church planting

Missional-Based

Our program is focused on training church leaders to engage in Gospel inspired missions work in today’s culture. You will learn from courses that study: ministry context, integrating faith in the workplace, pastoral care, and urban ministry. Furthermore, you will gain a full experience from learning Christian history, theological studies, biblical studies, and spiritual formation.

Cohort-Based

Students learn best when students learn from each other, and our program provides a Christian learning experience in order for you to do so. The In-Ministry program is a community of learning that allows you to work in groups and build peer-to-peer relationships that can last a lifetime. Together, you will complete core academic courses as well as practical ministry training in: Old and New Testament theology, systematic theology, and how to interpret the Bible effectively.

Leadership Development for the 21st Century Church

The program is creative in its design as it will equip you with the concepts, tools, and skills you need to successfully work through issues in the 21st century church. You will use your current ministry settings as a laboratory for learning and creatively testing new ideas to find solutions to common problems in churches. You will study in an experiential learning environment with supportive faculty and classmates that will join you on the journey.

How this program works

You maintain your ministry involvement and work while studying for the Master of Divinity degree.

You use your ministry setting as a laboratory for learning—you test ideas from the classroom in your ministry, and bring your ministry experiences into the classroom.

You join a group of students and stay together as a group throughout the entire program (called a 'cohort')

You come to campus only one day per week, plus one Saturday per semester, during the three years of the cohort section of the program.

You learn from a group of faculty who stay together with you throughout your program, providing mentoring as well as classroom instruction.

You learn in an intensive format—courses are 6 weeks long with the exception of two, which are done in a one-week retreat format, and the Internship, which is spread out over the course of the program.

You learn in a community context, with common classes plus a shared meal, worship and small group component.

Whether you're interested in vocational ministry and leadership or personal study and enrichment, Tyndale offers a wide range of degree options that will meet your needs and goals.

Graduate Diploma**

MTSMaster of Theological Studies**

MDivMaster of Divinity***

ThMMaster of Theology

DMinDoctor of Ministry

A program geared toward adult learners interested in being equipped for ministry in their chosen profession

A degree that will develop students' theological understanding for general educational purposes

A degree designed primarily for those considering vocational, church-based ministry

An advanced academic degree that provides an opportunity toexplore biblical, theological or historical studies in preparation for a PhD or ThD program

An advanced professional degree designed for church leaders whose ministry will be integrated into their study and research

Description

9

18

27

6 courses + thesis

6 intensive modules + a major project

Courses
Required

1 year

2 years

3 years

1 year

3 years

Duration*

Want to enhance your biblical and theological understandings in a setting that will engage your intellect and deepen your faith

Are seeking a foundational graduate degree that can be utilized in a wide range of professional and ministerial contexts

Wish to prepare for ordained ministry or for general pastoral and religious leadership responsibilities in congregations and other settings

Have completed an MDiv or MTS and wish to enhance your ministerial and missional practice with additional scholarship, or prepare for further study at the doctoral level

Have completed an MDiv or equivalent and are engaged in substantive ministry further developing your skills and capacities for effective leadership

Pursue if...

Notes:
* Program durations are based on a traditional, full-time course load of nine courses per year.
** Also offered in a modular format designed to meet the needs of students with full-time demands such as family, church or career.
*** Tyndale also offers an In-Ministry MDiv degree program for people who are engaged in part-time or full-time in vocational Christian ministry.

» Program Faculty

Rev. Donald Goertz

Director of In-Ministry MDiv Program

Associate Professor of Church History

BRS, Concordia College, 1975BA, University of Alberta, 1976MCS, Regent College, 1980MDiv, Carey Theological College/Regent College, 1981MA, University of St. Michael’s College (Toronto), 1984PhD (cand.), University of St. Michael’s College (Toronto)

Areas of Specialization: Canadian Church History, Baptist History, Spirituality and Missional Leadership

Rev. Goertz, an ordained pastor in the Baptist Church of Ontario and Quebec, brings to his position at Tyndale a passion for the Church and for preparing people to integrate their faith with their personal and professional lives. He is a regular speaker in a variety of church settings and is a popular seminar and retreat facilitator on such diverse topics as prayer, grief, leadership, church renewal and spiritual formation. He is a member of several societies, including the Canadian Society of Church History and the Canadian Baptist Historical Society. He has authored numerous papers and articles and has contributed to a variety of publications in the areas of church history and spiritual formation. Rev. Goertz particularly enjoys interaction with Toronto’s multicultural communities and sits on a number of missions-related boards.

Dr. Kevin Livingston

Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry

Areas of Specialization: Preaching, Evangelism,Worship, The Gospel’s Encounter with Culture.

Dr. Livingston is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and has served congregations in Seattle, Scotland, Vancouver, Cambridge, and most recently, the historic Knox Presbyterian Church in Toronto. Passionate about the integration of pastoral ministry and theological education, he previously served as adjunct professor at McMaster Divinity College and Tyndale Seminary. He is committed to scholarship in the service of the church and has contributed to a Festshcrift for David Bosch, Mission in Creative Tension, edited by W. A. Saayman and J. N. J. Kritzinger (South African Missiological Society, 1990) and has published articles in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Missionalia and Channels. His research interests are in the ministry of preaching and the renewal of the church. Dr. Livingston serves on the Board of Directors of the Latin America Mission and several committees of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

Dr. Shaughnessy brings a breadth of experience that has been garnered from 21 years of full-time pastoral ministry. Dr. Shaughnessy has served as a pastor in a small town, senior pastor in a city, senior pastor in a multiple-staff city church, pastor in a church plant congregation, and senior chaplain/pastor and senior administrator at an international multicultural school in India. He has led numerous retreats and workshops. He has intentionally focused on attaining insights, and developing skills, in the area of counselling. His passion is journeying with individuals and groups into a deeper understanding of life, faith and service as followers of Jesus Christ. Dr. Shaughnessy is an ordained pastor in the Baptist Church of Ontario and Quebec.

One Course at a Time

If you have completed a baccalaureate degree and wish to take graduate-level course you can become an occasional student or audit a course. Or if you are registered at another graduate theological institution and are eligible to take courses at Tyndale Seminary, you can submit a Letter of Permission.

The following is a list of all degrees, diplomas, and areas of study offered at Tyndale Seminary. As a graduate theological school, Tyndale Seminary admits students who have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college (see admissions requirements). Click on each of the items below to find descriptions, opportunities and course requirements.